STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND
OF THE LONG ISLAND AREA COUNCIL OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CONGREGATIONS
STUDENT ESSAYS – SUMMER 2013
Students were asked to reflect on the following:
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What contributions do you feel you have made to your participating agency through your SAF
work?
Overall, what did you learn from your experiences at this agency?
Give one particular example of an experience you had at the agency and what you feel you
learned from it.
In what ways did your internship experience relate to the 7 UU Principles and Purposes (listed
below)? Also, how did it serve to clarify, strengthen or change your Unitarian Universalist values
and beliefs?
In what ways did the content of the Income Inequality Workshops relate to your internship
experiences? How is income inequality reflected in the work of your agency? How does your
organization work on issues of social justice? What issues do they address, and how are they
helping to promote change? Is there something that you have learned this summer that will
change what you do on a personal level to help promote change?
Table of Contents
Claire Anderson – The Urban Justice Center .................................................................................. 4
Marisa Belfiore – The Life Enrichment Center ................................................................................ 4
Bellafiore, Katharine - Broadlawn Manor ....................................................................................... 6
Kim Bernstein - Herstory Writers Workshop .................................................................................. 7
Corey Bilello - All About Cats .......................................................................................................... 9
Cohen, Amanda - Carillon Nursing Home ....................................................................................... 9
Daniel S DeCamello - Glen Cove Community Development Agency (Glen Cove City Hall) .......... 10
Emma DuNaier—Community Ambulance Company .................................................................... 11
Megan Goldberg - The Interfaith Nutrition Network ................................................................... 13
Dana Hall - The Town of Brookhaven Office of Women’s Services .............................................. 14
Iversen Hannah - Fox Hollow Farms ............................................................................................. 16
Iversen, Ian - Fox Hollow Farm CSA .............................................................................................. 17
Kremen, Lisa - The Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island ............................................................... 18
Matthew Larkin – Friends of Hempstead Plains ........................................................................... 19
Tess Larsen - S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth................................................................................................... 20
Logue, Shannon – Office of the Nassau County Attorney ............................................................ 21
Lynch, Katharine - CitySprouts ...................................................................................................... 22
Susana Lyons-Kiang - Alley Pond Environmental Center .............................................................. 23
Shiana Mainarich - Women’s Fund of Long Island...................................................................... 24
Dana Majewski - Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association.............................................................. 25
Matthew McGill - SCO Family of Services and North Shore Animal Lover’s League .................... 26
Jamie McKaie - New York Communities for Change..................................................................... 27
Aaron Miner - Mary Brennan Inn and Long Island Children’s Museum ..................................... 28
Zach Miner - Mary Brennan Inn and Long Island Children’s Museum. ...................................... 29
William Morris - Bethel Hobbs Community Farm......................................................................... 31
Andrew Ross - Mauna Kea Visitor Center ..................................................................................... 31
Madeleine Schwab - Let’s Get Ready and Office of Congressman Steve Israel ........................... 33
Corey Soong - Wild Bird Fund ....................................................................................................... 35
Amanda Treco - Art Beyond Sight ................................................................................................. 36
Vanessa Ventola - Greenmarket & Queens Botanical Gardens ................................................... 37
Lisa Weingarten - Bobbi and The Strays Animal Shelter .............................................................. 40
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Corinne Weinstein - Music & Memory and Long Island Progressive Coalition ............................ 42
Kelsey Weymouth-Little - Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office...................................... 43
Andrea Willard - Children’s Center, United Cerebral Palsy .......................................................... 45
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Claire Anderson – The Urban Justice Center
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens
This summer I worked with an organization called The Urban Justice Center and more
specifically I worked with the Mental Health Project. UJC provides legal and advocacy services
to those who may be denied by other places. Their biggest goal is to make sure everyone, no
matter race, job, sexuality, gender or diagnosis, receives the same service as everyone else.
Although a large portion of my internship was small projects, I could sense that they were
helping the big picture which is all any student wants from an internship.
My supervisor, Maya, was very young but quite diligent and engaged in her work ethic.
She was not alone; most of the project was scrupulous in their work. This made my job easier
because even as I would do data entry and move around files, everyone in one way or another
worked hard. Maya was an attentive supervisor, she always asked if the projects were too boring
or if I was doing too much. She was great to talk to about understanding exactly what my
projects would entail and just a lovely person in general.
Along with my little projects, MHP had me attend multiple interesting and educational
hearings and trainings. My very first day, I attended a training that helped you work with
transgender clients. Even though I never did this it gave me a great lesson in the equality that
UJC helps bring other people. I also attended many release hearings from hospitals which gave
me great insight to the data entry I actually did for those people. Even if my jobs were simple,
these trainings and experiences gave light to how it would help people on a larger scale.
Besides the learning and practice of working in a 9-5 job, my internship provided me
with people who were endearing, friendly and socially involving. This fact and the work that
they did made me excited to come in everyday and do whatever they needed me to do. As a
Unitarian Universalist, they almost directly follow the 7 principles especially number 1, the
inherent worth and dignity of every person and number 2, justice, equality and compassion in
human relations. UJC was created for just those reasons, giving others a chance they may not be
initially given. Overall, my internship was everything I wanted and more. If I continue the SAF
program, I will definitely contact The Urban Justice Center and Mental Health Project once
more.
Marisa Belfiore – The Life Enrichment Center
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
I volunteered at the Life Enrichment Center in Downtown Oyster Bay. The Life Enrichment
Center is a senior center as well as a recreational center for retires. It was an unexpected choice
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for me, by which I mean I never thought that I would be volunteering at the Senior Center my
Pop Pop attended for so many years and never really paid any attention to. It is a very endearing
sort of place where the atmosphere is always warm and cheerful and no one seems to be
melancholy even if it is Friday and that would be the day you would be longing for the weekend
to come.
It services around fifty-five to about one-hundred and fifty people an average per day, which
I think is an astonishing feat because of its size. Assisting the elderly is the main function of the
center and there are many facets to their cause. I was there to do all that was possible in
managing the seniors’ welfare and the Centers up-keep. Such tasks included helping serve the
seniors their lunches as well as helping them play games such as cards and Bingo, just to name a
few activities. The staff there is really hands on whether it comes to the supervisors or to the
volunteers or even the chefs that cook their lunches; everyone is there to aid the seniors in any
way possible. Helping the seniors was a wonderful experience however, supporting the Life
Enrichment Center itself with its own dilemmas felt even more gratifying. Many of the center’s
funding is cut every year by the state and county and they have to manage on their own. I was
mainly used in areas of the Life Enrichment Center in which I was to help the Senior Center
itself, though they always needed a hand in assisting the seniors. These all felt like rewarding
experiences for me. I worked many different jobs in order to help the Life Enrichment Center so
it could keep doing what it does best. I catered for special events for the Center, and assisted with
raffles and bake sales which boosted their economy. Assisting the elderly in their day to day
activities really made a huge impact on the seniors and made their mood flourish because of my
cheer as well as my care and concern for their wellbeing. These relationships were well received
within the Life Enrichment Center.
The staffs were always very thankful for all that I did for them. I took every opportunity to do
whatever was in my power to do anything that they needed to do for them and they were always
very gracious for my actions. My contributions to the Life Enrichment Center were well noticed
and acknowledged on the very last day I was a Volunteer there. All of the staff, volunteers and
the Center’s members told me how much they appreciated my presence and help with the
Center’s needs.
The Life Enrichment Center can almost be described as a tight knit operation and
experiencing it in action either to support their operation itself or going above and beyond to
assist the elderly who come and use the Center (or simply showing the seniors a good time)
elates me. In doing so, experiencing these things among many others that occur in the Center, I
realized unlike my other volunteer job which had many volunteers or employees, this Senior
Center was lacking just that. I was always impressed with the fact that a few employees and
volunteers could manage the Life Enrichment Center with all of its simple to extravagant
activities. My experience at the Life Enrichment Center has taught me that a few people with
some determination can really make a difference for others. I loved being a part of that. By
moving their small thrift shop to a bigger area and redesigning it for them I contributed to their
small establishment and in doing so helped their cause. These actions made me realize that
achieving a goal within one owns spirit and strength could alter the outlook of the future.
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This particular agency is developing a new way for the elderly to live the rest of their
lives. The life Enrichment Center is changing the way we treat and handle the elderly. The
constant hard work they put into action is to create a different environment in which the seniors
can thrive and be joyful. This Center brings an equal quality of life that they once had when they
were younger. Having an accessible place where the members can socialize; buses escort them
from their homes to the Center. Being informed about news and being brought up to date about
things that are going on socially and politically in the world; once and a while bringing in a
Politian in to speak to them. Having lively events to look forward to and celebrate several special
events and creative parties during the year; including a birthday day celebration, which
celebrates all the birthdays of those particular members in that month and one Great Gatsby party
where everyone dressed the part, among many other things. With this forward thinking it really
shows the true effects in the way the seniors interact under these conditions with positive results.
Learning the wonderful accomplishments and strides this Center has taken to broaden their
horizons and strengthen their establishment to better the lives of the aging is something truly to
admire. The Life Enrichment Center is always there to do anything in its power to do what it can
to support and care for its members. They stand for the good of their members and if a problem
ensues they are there to assist in any way possible.
The first Unitarian Universalist principle, inherent the worth and dignity of every person,
would be the principle that would best categorize this organization. While I was at the Life
Enrichment Center, a member’s heart gave out. The ambulance did not come until an hour after
called. The Center’s Director acted fast and resuscitated the member and because of her actions a
life was saved. The staff worked hard to sustain the situation and the member pulled through
until the ambulance arrived (which was an hour later than it was supposed to arrive). These bold
actions clarified my feelings that everyone should be treated with the same care that you would
want to receive and with that being said that everyone has a place in this world. Everyone
receives this care and respect in the Life Enrichment Center, even on the smallest scales. I
believe in strongly in this principle, in my interpretation. I hope it is correct. This was a very
rewarding experience for me and I hope I can continue my work with the Life Enrichment Center
there again.
Bellafiore, Katharine - Broadlawn Manor
South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation
This summer I volunteered at Broadlawn Manor which is a nursing home. I volunteered
in the Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy department because this is what I am interested in
doing for the rest of my life. I really enjoyed volunteering here and working with the patients
hands-on. I was there to give the PT/OT’s help wherever they needed it. I learned a lot more
about what PT/OT is all about and what they offer to the community. I loved working with older
people and giving them the proper care they need. It is important for them to get back to living
on their own and being able to do everyday things.
One lady came in crying because she did not think the nurses treated her well. I was there
for her and told her that the PT/OT department will always be there to treat her with respect and
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make her stay a little better. I liked seeing the smile on her face after I told her that. She also
spoke to me about her husband that had died and I was there to comfort her. I felt like I really
accomplished something and hoped I made her day better.
Volunteering here related to the 7 UU Principles very much. I was kind to everyone that I
encountered even if they were not as positive towards me. I also listened to what every patient
had to say because I know most of them just want someone to talk to. Being in a nursing home
can be very depressing so I try to keep a smile on my face at all times. Being a UU has helped
me treat everyone equally and how I want to be treated. The people in the nursing home that are
coming to the Physical Therapy/ Occupational Therapy department are not as lucky as I am.
They mostly have dementia, have some sort of heart disease, or got hurt some way. Being away
from their families and pets, take a very heavy toll on the people staying in the home.
Broadlawn Manor tries to gives everything to make the patients stay as great as possible.
A lot of the patients will be spending the last of their lives living in the facilities. It is very
important to keep them happy and well for as long as possible. The PT/OT’s job is to get people
back into their homes and ready to live on their own again. I loved watching people improve
from day to day. Volunteering here really gave me a head start to my future because I was able to
work hands-on with PT/OT’s. I wish I could have put in more hours but I am very interested in
volunteering here again in the near future and overall had a great experience.
Kim Bernstein - Herstory Writers Workshop
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook
This summer, I worked as an intern at Herstory Writers Workshop, a nonprofit
organization that uses personal memoir to push for social justice. Some of their bigger projects
have been working with women in all three of Long Island’s jails and Latina women, some of
whom are undocumented immigrants. This summer, their main project was spearheading the
Long Island leg of the Correctional Association of New York’s Raise the Age campaign, a
campaign that is pushing to raise the age of youth automatically prosecuted and incarcerated as
adults from 16- to 18-years-old. New York is one of only two states that still does so. Our goal
was to find youth who were either prosecuted as adults or given alternative sentencing to write
about their experience in the criminal justice system and how being prosecuted as an adult vs. as
a youth helped or hindered their growth and rehabilitation.
I worked a lot on this campaign in gaining partners in the cause and finding stories that
could help change hearts and minds. We created partnerships with Prison Families Anonymous,
the Nassau County Youth Court, NYCLU, and of course, the CANY. I have also taken the Raise
the Age campaign to both the UUFSB and the UUCSR, where their social justice and racial
concerns committees have taken interest in the cause. I helped plan and organize a press
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conference, which will be taking place on August 20th at11:00am on the steps of the Nassau
County Supreme Court, to urge our legislatures to take a stand and treat children as children.
Aside from the Raise the Age campaign, I worked on several other projects throughout the
summer, including copy editing our latest book, setting up a filing system on the new office
computer, creating flyers and brochures for various events and book sales, keeping up
communication with our various partners on several different projects, and helping out wherever
else I could.
Working for Herstory has taught me several things about the nonprofit world, such as
figuring out which grants to apply for, how to best fundraise, and where time is best spent for the
greatest outcome. However, the most important thing Herstory has taught me is the importance
of relationships. It’s amazing the things that can happen if you know the right people. The more
you do outreach and build relationships, the more likely you are in the future to be able to
achieve everything you want to. These relationships must be fostered and then continue grow as
time goes on. Just those small things such as a note of gratitude can go such a long way. You
have to always be on your A-game and creating connections since you never know when that
person may become an asset to your organization.
My internship mostly correlated with the first, second, and sixth principles. By working
mostly with underprivileged women, such as those who are incarcerated or undocumented,
Herstory works to bring a voice to the voiceless. Each and every person has worth and dignity,
regardless of if they are living behind bars, in poverty, or without education. These people,
especially, deserve the justice, equity and human compassion that they have been denied. By
working to create their stories to share with a wider audience, these women can help spread the
word about who they truly are, and help create a world community with peace, liberty, and
justice for all.
Growing up rather privileged, it was very eye opening to work with those who had such a
different experience growing up. Herstory thrives on bringing together those who come from
very different worlds and showing them just how similar they are. There was one workshop
where the daughter of a Nazi soldier wrote beside a woman who lost her mother in the
Holocaust. Together, they wrote about similar experiences of growing up as children of war and
the experience of losing a parent before the age of five. I had the privilege of working with
Latina women who were victims of domestic violence and, because of financial difficulty, had
nowhere else to go. An unevenly proportioned amount of the women who were incarcerated
were living on or below the poverty line, many of whom turned to the drug trade to feed their
families, or committed small crimes to have somewhere warm to sleep during the winter months.
Many women ended up back in jail for a parole violation of being unable to get or keep a job,
even though several wealthy people are losing their jobs daily because the job market is so poor.
These incarcerated women and domestic violence survivors often shared a background of
poverty and a feeling of helplessness. A booming economy would in no way end crime or
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domestic violence, but it might help keep those who don’t deserve to be incarcerated out of jail,
and those who are survivors to fight for the hope of a new life.
Corey Bilello - All About Cats
South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation
My name is Corey Bilello. I worked in an agency called All About Cats. They rescue,
give medical care, socialize and find forever homes for abandoned cats and kittens. I contributed
to my agency by reducing the workload for my coworkers, making time for big projects such as
moving heavy cages around to clean behind them and for socializing the cats. At All About Cats,
I learned the importance of having a strong work ethic, and that you should do your best in
everything you do, even something you think is miniscule or unimportant. One experience I had
at All About Cats was that I held a kitten in my arms until it died. I did my best to try to keep
still and comfort it for the final hour of its life. It was hard for me to not fidget because of my
ADHD. I learned how powerful the bond between human and kitten can be.
This internship experience most powerfully relates to the seventh UU principle, the
respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, because I worked with
cats throughout my entire internship. We rescued stray cats in the neighborhood and gave them
to loving families. This internship also related to the first principle, the inherent worth and
dignity of every person, when we all chipped in as much as we could to help the cats, no matter
how small the contribution. In terms of the Income Inequality Workshops, everyone I worked
with was a volunteer at All About Cats. They rely solely on donations to help feed and care for
the cats. We constantly discussed how to save money on supplies, such as using newspapers
instead of paper towels to clean windows.
Cohen, Amanda - Carillon Nursing Home
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington
I got the absolute pleasure working with the elderly at the Carillon Nursing Home. Every
day was something different. I worked with the Recreation Department and we did everything
from making Hawaiian Chicken to Birthday parties. I love the feeling of helping out whether it is
setting up the activity or transporting the elderly from their rooms to the activity.
Something I learned from working at the Nursing Home is that the elderly really do need
people to help them. Surprisingly, there are not a whole lot of volunteers and they need all the
help they can get. I try to use my UU values when I volunteer. I remember that each person is
important and I try to always include and persuade some of the elderly to come and participate in
the activity. In addition to using my first principle, I also use the second, be kind in all you do.
Even though some of them can be difficult and some have been rude to me, I keep in mind to
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always be kind to them and no matter how much I want to tell some of them that they are being
rude, I just politely escort them back to their room if they are misbehaving.
Some contributions I have felt I have made are that the staff always needs extra hands.
There is just so much to do there and they just need help doing all these different activities. I feel
that I have contributed (and will continue to do so) a good spirit and good outlook toward the
elderly. Also, I feel that I have touched their hearts and they always thank me for coming. So I
have contributed in a way I did not think I would. I thought that my work there would go
unnoticed, but it doesn’t and that gives me a sense of what I contribute there and what it means
to everyone.
I think that everyone should have a chance to not only do the Student Activity Fund but
also just to volunteer in general. It means so much to not only the staff but the people that you
are helping. It truly is an amazing feeling knowing that you’re making a difference in someone
else’s life as well as your own.
Daniel S DeCamello - Glen Cove Community Development Agency (Glen
Cove City Hall)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer, between my freshman and sophomore years of college, I interned for the
Glen Cove Community Development Agency and Mayor’s office for the third time. Coming
back to the same agency again had quite a different feeling from the first, and even second time
that I worked there. Upon my return, I was greeted warmly by all of the friendly faces that I had
come to know over the past two years and was immediately ready to begin working in familiar
territory.
Much of my work was similar to what I had done during my previous two internships;
answering phones, photocopying, filing, scheduling appointments, etc. Because of this, I was
able to use my people skills and my familiarity with excel and other technology to work quickly
and efficiently without the need for any further training. In fact, because of my tech-savviness I
became somewhat of a computer-tutor for my co-workers. I was able to teach a number of people
the intricacies of Microsoft excel and other programs, in creating things like mail-merges and
spreadsheets with built-in equations.
One experience in which I did learn quite a bit, was the report that I was responsible for
preparing for the EPA. About mid-way through the summer I was brought into the office of the
director of the CDA to sit in on a conference call with one of the City’s head lawyers. There I
was spoken to directly and given instructions on how I would be compiling expenditure
information on development projects dating back to the 1980’s. This report would in turn help
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the city save money that would then be put toward some of the many development projects that
were in progress or planned for the future. I began by going into the vaults in the basement of
city hall, where I dug through files to find old invoices and other documentation that I could
begin recording. While this might seem somewhat menial, it was actually a very enjoyable
experience in that I got a rare look into the history of my city and got to see these old projects
from a number of different perspectives (i.e. the contractors, the city, the EPA, the current
mayor(s), etc).
These projects, as well as the ones that I helped work on myself throughout the summer,
were primarily ones designed to help the city build its economy, or more recently, recover from
recession. They are primarily aimed at providing jobs (through public works) and physically
improving the city to make it a more attractive place for potential investors, businesses, and
residents. In this way these projects bespeak the Unitarian Universalist Principles of the inherent
worth and dignity of every person, and Justice, equity and compassion, through attempting to
help those who are struggling to recover. Furthermore, the Mayor’s office and CDA promote the
use of the democratic process, as is not true with all local governments, many of which have
officials that are not popularly elected. Finally, I feel that our discussions in the Income
Inequality Workshop are significant to my internship because the institution that I worked for is
the one that works for people who are struggling financially. During my internship had numerous
encounters with people who wanted to speak to the Mayor or other CDA officials to thank them
for everything they had done to get their families back on their feet. Overall, I was very pleased
with my experience, for the third time, and would recommend this agency to anyone who is
interested in work in the public sector.
Emma DuNaier—Community Ambulance Company
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington
Loud tones shriek in your ears in the middle of the day (or the middle of the night) or any
time of day. You drag yourself off the couch where you were just dozing off or you drag yourself
out of the kitchen where you just finished making lunch. You grab the printout on your way to
the garage and then you hop in the ambulance. The ambulance pulls out of the garage and then
someone’s on the radio. The lights and sirens start flashing and blaring and then you are on your
way. You’re an Emergency Medical Technician and someone in the 20 square miles that your
company covers is having a medical emergency.
This scene can be found at Community anytime, any day, rain or shine. Some days are
quiet and you can relax on the couch or practice running imaginary calls with other people on
shift. Other days are so hectic that it seems like the only time you get to sit down is when you’re
filling out your paperwork in the hospital. Sometimes you treat patients who have a minor injury
or condition that is easily fixable at the hospital and other times you treat patients who are in the
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middle of fighting life-long disease or who have just flipped their cars over. It doesn’t matter
what their injury is or who they are or how old they are. Every individual who is transported by
Community Ambulance Company is given the best treatment that we can offer.
I’ve been a member of Community Ambulance Company for around a year and a half
and have been a NYS certified EMT-B for just under two years. While this means that
volunteering with Community isn’t a new experience for me this summer, it also means I have an
advantage over a lot of other students who may volunteer in hospitals or medical settings.
Because of my certification, I’m not limited to handing out cups of water or magazines or simply
entertaining patients. It means that I actually get to provide medical treatment. This summer was
not only spent volunteering with Community as I have been for quite a while but also improving
my own skills so that I can soon lead all calls without assistance.
While being an EMT and the principles of Unitarian Universalism should seem to have
some obvious connections (what’s more UU than saving lives?) there’s some subtle ones that
might not jump straight to mind. Because Community Ambulance is a volunteer organization,
that means patients never need to pay us for our work. Surprisingly, this isn’t the case for all
ambulance companies. It also means that you don’t need health insurance or to even be a resident
of the US. I’ve treated patients who range in age from six years old to 92. I’ve had patients of
various socio-economic backgrounds from young women about to have extravagant weddings to
men and women who weren’t taking the medications they desperately needed because they
couldn’t afford them.
Volunteering as an EMT has also shown me many of the problems with our healthcare
system. It seems wrong when someone isn’t taking the medications they seriously need because
they just can’t afford it. It also seems wrong when you walk into an ER with a patient and the ER
is so crowded that when you move the patient into their hospital bed, it’s just a bed pushed
against a wall in a crowded hallway with a piece of paper hanging above the bed on the wall that
reads “82.” There are too many full beds and never enough nurses. The nurses there are doing
their best but often you’ll seen maybe fifteen in an ER compared to what easily could be 50 or
more patients (most of which aren’t in a room with curtains but are in a bed against a wall like
described earlier). This isn’t what all hospitals look like all the time but shouldn’t it be that no
hospital should look like this ever? While solving the American healthcare system certainly isn’t
a task for me to undertake today, in the meantime I can continue volunteering as an EMT and
doing my best to provide all my patients with the best treatment I can offer.
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Megan Goldberg - The Interfaith Nutrition Network
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau
This summer I interned with the Interfaith Nutrition Network, in the Communications
Department in their main office in Hempstead, NY. The INN is a wonderful organization whose
mission is to “address the issues of hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing food,
shelter, long-term housing, and supportive services in a dignified and respectful manner for those
who seek [our] help.” I interned with The INN for the two summers prior. Not only were these
extremely enjoyable and rewarding experiences, but I saw how beneficial my time, effort, and
knowledge were to the organization. I am a Communications Management & Design major at
Ithaca College, with my service activities focused on assisting and consulting for local non-profit
organizations. I chose to return to The INN this summer not only to continue my work from the
previous summer, but to utilize my new and developed skills and experiences to further
contribute to the organization.
As an intern, I analyzed social media usage and the organization’s online presence, to
update & implement strategic plans for the department; created original designs, improved media
branding, and trained the department in basic photo editing; updated community service &
information packets and developed a list of businesses for sponsorship/volunteers; met with the
Youth Advisory Board to discuss recruitment/outreach strategies and event planning for the year;
researched and updated all database information for regional media/press contacts and met with
an ad agency and web development company to update and incorporate their guest privacy
policy into marketing materials, and help to update their website design, accessibility, and
content.
Working in an office environment doesn’t always allow you to see first hand how your
efforts are actually contributing to constituents or volunteers. However, my social media and
outreach work allowed me to connect with the community and understand how appreciative and
supportive so many individuals and volunteers are of The INN. Furthermore, the time that I spent
with the Youth Advisory Board also allowed me to connect with youth who are driven to make a
change and spread awareness in their communities. As I spent significantly more time with The
INN this summer than last, I had many opportunities to actually go over to the Mary Brennan
INN and speak with the staff, volunteers, and guests. I was excited to go back to the MBI, where
I had interned two summers before, and saw first hand how the monetary donations received
were being utilized and the supplies collected were being distributed. Where I had worked in the
main offices on outreach and corporate relationships to gain these donations, I really enjoyed
physically seeing the end product in action.
I hope to one-day work in the corporate world, specifically in the field of
communications focusing on corporate social responsibility and community partnerships. My
internship experience not only allowed me to understand more about The INN and it’s services
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and community impact, but provided me with an experience to look back on during points in my
career when I feel that my time and effort aren’t actually making a difference. When we think of
community service and social action many times we think of volunteering, creating, rebuilding,
protesting, and marching. These internship experiences truly allowed me to understand that there
is so much more than these front-line actions that make a difference in the community and the
lives of the individuals around us. While I was not always on the front line, the work that I did
behind the scenes is extremely crucial to the success of The INN.
The INN embodies the first, second, sixth, and seventh UU Principles significantly, as
they are greatly incorporated into the organization’s mission and actions. These principles plead
for the plight of those who have been forgotten, served injustice, and suppressed- the people
whom the INN serves. Every person who enters the INN is referred to as a “guest”, and nothing
less, because they aren’t worth any less. Their guest privacy policy serves as the greatest form of
respect for individuals who should not become the faces of hunger and homelessness. The INN
deeply appreciates its volunteers and supporters, and gives everything that it can to it’s guests
and the greater community.
My experiences at The INN have helped me to further discover my passions and goals in
giving back to my local and global community. They have taught me a lot about the way in
which society views those who are deemed “helpless,” and what we can do to reverse this
stigma. Furthermore, they have connected with the Income Equality Workshop, as many guests
of The INN struggle with sufficient and sustainable income. The INN provides food, shelter, and
supportive services for those who struggle to make ends meet. Although my work with The INN
did not allow me to contribute to governmental policy change, it has helped to achieve short-term
goals for those in need and work with individuals to create a plan to become economically
sustainable. My experiences were instrumental in building a stronger connection with my UU
faith, one that can often be subdued in the stressful and busy world that we live in. This was a
great opportunity to bring my focus back to these values and make a difference in a community
that has always supported me.
Dana Hall - The Town of Brookhaven Office of Women’s Services
UUF Stony Brook
This summer, I volunteered at the Town of Brookhaven Office of Women’s Services. I
was assigned to help plan the Women’s Conference and Expo that will be taking place this
October. I designed a logo for the Office of Women’s Services and I set up social media sites on
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to help spread the word about the conference. I worked on
another logo specifically for the conference and I generated a contact list of potential vendors
and sponsors for the event. I created a Save-the-Date flyer to advertise for the event and helped
brainstorm potential workshop topics and contacted several potential speakers. I sent out
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mailings to radio stations, newspapers, and magazines to help publicize the event. I also attended
Advisory Board meetings where we further helped organize the logistics of the event. I also
assisted in the Dress for Success Boutique, helping to suit low-income women for interviews and
employment.
Overall, I learned that I want to work in the not-for-profit sector, but I would like to work
at an agency that has more impact than the Office of Women’s Services. This department was
severely cut from last year with many layoffs and a newly nonexistent budget. There were only
two people working in this department, and since it was a governmental office, things moved
very slowly and every decision had to be approved by multiple people. I witnessed my
supervisor struggle to deal with the frustrations and lack of resources. Overall, I don’t think this
department is as effective as it could be and I want to work at an organization that encourages
innovation and measurement of impact. One experience that made me sure I want to work in the
nonprofit sector was helping out in the DFS Boutique. It was very rewarding to help these
women find clothes that made them feel confident when they were already so anxious about their
interview. Many of these women were returning to the workforce after a long period of absence,
and some were young and hadn’t had a professional position before. They were always so
appreciative of the volunteers’ work and it was great getting to know each woman and hear her
story.
I think my internship experience related to several UU principles, such as The inherent
worth and dignity of every person. Helping women in the Boutique emphasized this, because
although these women are unemployed and oftentimes on public assistance, they are still people
who deserve help, not to mention that they are continuously striving to pull themselves out of
their situation and make a better life for themselves and for their families while maintaining their
dignity. We are here to assist them and make it possible. I think my experience also applied to
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations because the Office of Women’s Services has
a helpline where women call in needing help, needing to be connected to local resources that
provide a safety net to those who find themselves in difficult situations. We treat every caller
with respect and provide her with confidential assistance and resources. Lastly, I think my
experience relates to The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all since
the Office is dedicated to assisting women from all walks of life, all backgrounds, ethnicities,
socioeconomic levels, etc. This experience helped to clarify my value of helping those less
fortunate. Despite a person’s circumstances or outward appearance, you never know their
situation until you know them, speak to them, and treat them like a human being equal to
yourself. I know I want to work at an organization that helps those people who have fallen
through the cracks, and those people whom most people stereotype and disregard as hopeless.
The Poverty and Social Change workshops definitely related to my internship experience.
I learned a lot about the lives in the impoverished, and then got to meet women really living
those lives at the DFS Boutique. I understood them more, and could better empathize with their
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situation. It made me understand what an important service we were providing them and it made
me wish there were ways we could help even more. It made me very frustrated with the Town of
Brookhaven, since they cut the budget of the Women’s Services and every day I witnessed the
staff struggle to keep programs going and continue to assist women in the community. Overall, it
was great getting to know the women who’s lives we were touching, to meet their children and
hear their stories and see the smiles on their faces when we were able to alleviate their troubles
even just a little bit.
Iversen Hannah - Fox Hollow Farms
UU Congregation Shelter Rock
When I, as well as other volunteers, attended the Student Activity Fund introduction
meeting in June we were excited to begin our summer partnering with a program that would give
us the resources and knowledge to strengthen social justice in our community. But anyone could
tell we were not only excited, but also ambitious. Not ambitious as in an aggressive desire to
succeed, but a desire to strengthen the success of social justice in our community in hope to
ripple any wave of goodness and determination across the country. I, personally, was always a
little naïve to the lack of income inequality, universal health care, and education that was
provided to America’s citizens, and I knew that more than just thinking about our country’s flaws
would have to be done. The Student Activity Fund gave us some insight on some very
challenging issues less- fortunate people are faced with today, but what was more challenging
than mentally absorbing today’s torn apart social system was picking from hundreds of
opportunities the program provided us that gave today’s problems a chance to be fixed and
mended.
I knew a lot about the failure of our food system and how it played a huge part on income
inequality, and that was where I wanted to put all of my ambition into.
I became part of a wonderful and enriching micro-farm, called Fox Hollow Farms that was all
organic and catered to the local community. I wanted to be a part of this egalitarian business right
away, after I found out these healthy, pesticide-free, all-organic vegetables were available to the
local community with no discrimination towards the amount of money you carried in your
wallet. We catered to food pantries as well as to a Community Supported Agriculture, which
were both dedicated to working with the spectrum of income earned as well as the spectrum of
consumer’s taste buds because a huge assortment of vegetables, from eggplant to elephant garlic,
were always being on display. One experience that stuck out to me during my internship was
when I was working with Severely Emotionally Disturbed kids in building, maintaining, and
growing a garden. I wasn’t sure if kids ranging from all different ages and backgrounds would
have fun growing food in a garden they would build, considering before meeting them, I thought
farming was only an interest to people with an extreme passion in physical labor and maintaining
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and harvesting crops with the help of the photosynthesis process. But what was unbelievable was
how farming was so much more than a plant maturing, it was also about a person. I witnessed
these kids become so interested and involved in something you would believe has such a
mundane process, but it wasn’t in the slightest to them. My realization was that farming might
objectively seem like it is about the plant, but farming provides therapy, happiness, and inclusion
for the individual.
What I learned from my many experiences working at Fox Hollow Farms was that
farming doesn’t discriminate. Agriculture is a huge step towards social justice and equality and
our country should take a serious look at the benefits it has to our society that is split so unfairly.
I, as well as the other SAF volunteers, strengthened social justice in our communities over this
summer and I know that this little measure of strength can influence others to use their power
and authority to create an even bigger repercussion of equal opportunities for all.
Iversen, Ian - Fox Hollow Farm CSA
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer I had one of my first and most unique work experiences as a farm hand at
Fox Hollow Farm alongside my 19-year-old sister. We worked together Mondays through
Fridays, close to 7 hours a day, doing some of the most rewarding work I could imagine through
the SAF grant program. In the relentless 90+-degree heat, the pouring rain, and the countless
hours spent alone in silence on the farm, I truly came to understand the commitment and
responsibility of running a the oldest and most necessary business in history. The South
Huntington micro-farm was an advocate of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a growing
movement across the nation that simply believes in the importance of local, organic, and easily
available food. Fox Hollow Farm had 52 members of its CSA this past season; some of them
lived next door and walked to pick up their produce.
Over the 2 months farming I learned lessons that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
I now understand that strength in numbers is crucial for getting any job done, from working
alongside 10, to being left by myself to harvest or wash produce. I have spent hours standing in
front of sinks washing and bagging lettuce by myself, but only minutes at a sink with the
company and assistance of others. I learned that personality is a trait that best comes out through
work. Spending long periods of time getting to know someone while doing exhausting work is a
bonding experience felt by both. More importantly than finding who others are through work is
finding oneself. Through working alone I feel as though I have made leaps and bounds in my
level of maturity and my capability to think introspectively about certain subjects for prolonged
periods of time.
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My internship strengthened and confirmed my Unitarian Universalist beliefs. I genuinely
saw the worth of every single person on the farm, each person serving an efficient purpose. It
always surprised me that the entire dynamic of the farm would be disrupted by the loss of
helping hands. The farm also reinforced several community building functions. The entire
neighborhood and beyond was united by the farm, bring hundreds of people of completely
diverse backgrounds together to share in a practice that everyone can agree upon. However
important those beliefs are the most important belief that was strengthened for me was the equity
and justice that was involved in the entire CSA process. From every step of the CSA I got to see
(planting, maintaining, harvesting and washing), I saw social justice at the foundation. Over this
once and a lifetime experience made possible by Fox Hollow Farm and the SAF I came to the
conclusion that people shouldn’t simply have available, organic and local food; they deserve it.
Kremen, Lisa - The Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer I interned at the Epilepsy Foundation. I worked in their “day-habilitation”
program, which was designed to help adults with a variety of developmental disabilities to
develop life skills and to experience community integration. The organization had a large focus
on advocating for the rights of these adults, the rights that are so easily taken away from them by
programs and group homes that service them. This population often loses their right to make
choices and speak for themselves, because they are faced with the people around them making
choices for them on a daily basis. I have worked with children and adults with disabilities for 4
years, but this is something I had not ever thought about before the agency helped me to discover
it. I helped the agency by providing a youthful spirit that the current staff and management had
not experienced in a while. This was a source of motivation for the clients, who were excited to
have a new friend, as well as for the staff who may have been tired of or unenthusiastic about the
work.
I had one powerful learning experience somewhere near the beginning of my internship,
which taught me how important it is to advocate for peoples’ rights. In classroom 8, there is a
client named Susan who frequently makes socially inappropriate comments. One day she made a
very appropriate comment, and the staff told her to be quiet and stop talking, either out of habit
or just because it was easier for them if she didn't talk. Susan responded, “I have the right to
speak, don't I?” This was powerful to me because Susan, an individual who is unable to tell time
or read, was so smart to reference her right of free speech. Meanwhile, I would have never
thought about the situation in those terms prior to working with this organization.
Out of the 7 principles, I think my experience with my organization most reaffirms the
first 2: The inherent worth and dignity of every person, and Justice, equity and compassion in
human relations. The staff really focused on providing equal rights to these individuals, as well
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as providing respect and compassion in our relationships with them. In this environment, they
were able to develop social and practical skills that helped them to be more independent within
their communities and within their personal lives. This helps build a sense of self-worth that
drastically improves their quality of life.
I feel that I learned just as much from the other staff members as I did from the clients.
Working at my agency very directly related to the Income Inequality Workshops. The average
employee at my foundation was female, middle aged, low-income worker. They get paid very little
to do very hard work that requires a lot of patience. However it was a very friendly environment
where those in managerial positions treated the staff with respect and were very involved in the
work that goes on during the day. I previously had only worked with organizations where the other
interns/volunteers were also college students who were just working for the summer. Working in a
place where it was all of the staff’s full time jobs was a very different experience. It made me think
about issues like minimum wage being too low, and the unfair separation in income between
different groups of people who work equally hard but an in different positions. It also made me
think about education inequality, since most of the employees didn't have any college degrees, and
how that relates to economic inequalities.
Working at the Epilepsy Foundation has both reaffirmed my values as a Unitarian
Universalist, and encouraged me to continue pursuing a more socially equitable world in
whatever ways I can. I am so fortunate for my experiences working there and hope to continue
making a change in the lives of those whose rights and independence need to be advocated for.
Matthew Larkin – Friends of Hempstead Plains
South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation
This summer, I helped maintain the last vestige of a prairie on Long Island. Before that
I had no idea that a prairie even existed on Long Island, let alone at one time that Long Island
was home to 40,000 acres of prairie. By the end of the summer I came to value this highly
historic and ecological land. I feel proud of my small contribution to keeping it alive.
By the end of the summer, I had cut down more than half of the intrusive weeds on the
prairie so that the endangered and rare plants could thrive. The Friends of Hempstead, a small
not-for-profit, appreciated this help that was made possible by SAF.
During my time there, I learned practical things like the names of different plants and
weeds, like mugwart and wormwood. I came to value a spot on Long Island that has been
preserved and protected from development and pollution. On a deeper level, I felt a new
connection to all the men – mostly Mexican immigrants - whom I’ve seen working the land on
Long Island.
I also became aware of my own privilege being a white man from a middle class family.
For example, during a weeklong heat wave, I worked every day. But I kept my hours short, and
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took breaks. When I drove home through Long Island neighborhoods I’d see men who also
labored in the sun, working on lawns, or building houses. I wondered if they had the same
privileges – working shorter days with longer breaks.
At the same time, I liked the feeling of accomplishment that came from seeing a direct
result from the work I had done. During that heat wave, I had cleared a gigantic plot of land. I
was covered in sweat, exhausted, but could see that I had made room for the natural prairie grass
to grow around me.
The idea of preservation motivates the Friends of Hempstead Plains. Without that
organization, the land would be overrun by brush and litter. The UU principal that came to mind
was the interdependent web. I realized that we are tied to the earth in many ways. Commercial
development has destroyed much of the natural land. Because of that I believe it is our duty to
help preserve land to keep the natural species - animals, birds and vegetation – from
disappearing.
Tess Larsen - S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth
South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation
This summer I worked at a camp in Uniondale for kids exiting elementary school and
entering middle school. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy my time spent at S.T.R.O.N.G., but I
genuinely feel that I contributed to the success of the camp this summer. By assisting in
discussions, outdoor activities, photographing events, and getting an opportunity to connect with
the kids in the program, I felt as if I was doing my part to make the camp run more smoothly.
I learned many things from working with S.T.R.O.N.G. I think the most important was
acknowledging how different someone’s upbringing can be, even so close to where I grew up. I
learned how important it is to help provide kids with opportunities, such as bridge camp, to help
them stay on the right path when they enter new phases of their lives. I really do believe that this
camp will help their transition from elementary to middle school, and hope that the lessons they
learned this summer stay with them for much longer.
For example, while working with S.T.R.O.N.G. I met a girl who was 10 years old with
aspirations to one day be a lawyer. She told me how while all of her friends obsessed over
always having a boyfriend, she always focused on having good grades. Her drive at such a young
age was a reminder about how important programs like S.T.R.O.N.G. are. This type of program
helps to keep kids on a path to a future full of opportunities by helping them learn about the
effects their decisions in the upcoming years will have on their lives.
My internship related most to the UU principle, “Justice, equity, and compassion in human
relations.” It is important to acknowledge that everyone is equal, no matter where they are from
or what their socioeconomic status may be. It is especially important to work towards extending
opportunities to people that, due to financial hardships, wouldn’t be able to obtain them
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otherwise. Working with this camp helped strengthen my UU values by providing a real life
example of a principle and an opportunity for me to work towards achieving it.
The workshop in July related to my internship in a numerous amount of ways. The most
apparent was that the kids placed in the camp went there because of financial hardships
experienced by their parents. I think camps such as this, which are free for parents to send their
children, are an excellent way to provide the next generation with an opportunity to change their
futures.
Logue, Shannon – Office of the Nassau County Attorney
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock
This past summer, I had a fantastic experience working for in the Office of the Nassau
County Attorney, John Ciampoli, in Mineola. When I first began searching for an internship
over the summer, I knew that I wanted to get experience working in the government. In addition,
I am considering going to law school after college, so I wanted to get acquainted with working in
a law office. I learned that the Office of the Nassau County Attorney had summer internships not
only for law students, but also for college students. After I applied, I was contacted, had an
interview and was offered the internship.
When I began working at the Office of the Nassau County Attorney, I assumed my job
would consists mostly of filing; I did not expect that I would be able to contribute much in the
way of higher-level work and would instead be doing general office work such as filing and
copying. While I did do those things, the attorneys who ran the program tried to give the interns
many opportunities to observe depositions, hearings and legislative meetings. The interns, as a
group, explored a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Garcetti, which clarified the rights of
alleged whistleblowers who are also governmental employees. Also, guest speakers from
various parts of Nassau County government and the Nassau County Court system spoke to the
interns to demonstrate the full gambit of what Nassau County government is responsible. I
organized files and drafted assessments of initial state law complaints, working with a staff
attorney. I also created Excel sheets recording empirical data to reflect trends in the types of
cases being handled and their outcomes. I was amazed at the amount of the cases and the variety
of things for which the County was sued. We even had a trip to the Nassau County medical
examiner’s office to observe an autopsy, which I do not think I will ever forget. In addition,
working with other interns was a new experience for me and stretched me socially. In dealing
with all of the employees and the interns there, I successfully used my people skills to
communicate and work with others; I realized how very important clear and constant
communication is in an organization.
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One of the projects that I worked on at the Office of the Nassau County Attorney was to
update a directory of County agencies and organizations for its website, collating information in
one place to allow easy access for the public. This data base was to make it easier for the public
to find answers to all types of questions and to find referrals to other agencies that could help
them with their concerns. The data base covers many topics including referrals to assist with
Sandy relief, not-for-profit debt consolidation, housing issues (such as mortgage fraud) and tax
questions. This project was aimed at improving the lives of citizens by making it much easier to
find the correct entity, be it a Nassau County agency or another entity, to assist in solving
citizens’ problems. This project supports the Unitarian Universalist Principles of the inherent
worth and dignity of every person, and Justice, equity and compassion, through attempting to
help those who are struggling to deal with a full array of problems and issues. Finally, I feel that
our discussions in the Advocacy Workshop are significant to my internship simply because the
institution that I worked for is the one that seeks to help people make lives easier for themselves.
Overall, I was extremely pleased with my experience and would recommend this agency to
anyone who is considering an internship there.
Lynch, Katharine - CitySprouts
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook
I spent this summer working with CitySprouts, an organization in the Boston area.
During the school year, CitySprouts maintains the schoolyard gardens in Cambridge and Boston,
while teaching elementary and middle school aged children lessons in the garden and helping
teachers integrate the garden into their curriculum. During the summer, CitySprouts runs an
internship program for middle schoolers. For four weeks, middle school interns come to the
garden daily and perform garden maintenance and community service, while learning about
ecology, food systems and healthy cooking. The internship not only provides valuable lessons
and experience, it provides an opportunity for students who would not be able to pay for summer
camps to have a fun and educational summer experience.
Income inequality is inextricably a part of our program because Cambridge is a very
diverse community, with pockets both of wealth and need. We have children from both sides
participate in our programs. As part of our lessons, we talk about hunger and inequality, and go
on field trips to work at a food pantry as well as a farm that donates its produce. The interns
receive a $100 stipend for their work and some give it to their families while others have the
freedom to spend it. It is important to remember when working with the group that students
come from very different backgrounds and to create a community where all feel welcome.
My job with the organization was to assist at one of the internship sites. With a team of
two other educators, I planned lessons, activities and the trajectory of the internship for about 12
students. We taught the interns garden skills, and discussed types of agriculture, food labels,
ecology, pesticide use, hunger, water shortage and a multitude of other interrelated topics. The
interns cooked a healthy, garden produce lunch almost every day, learning knife skills and other
important cooking lessons.
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One of the most important lessons to come out of this summer for me was about different
types of learning. One of the boys we worked with clearly was not doing well in a traditional
school setting. Reading and writing were a real struggle for him, as was sitting still. In the
garden, however, he flourished. It was clear that he was very bright, and our hands-on lessons in
an outdoor setting allowed him to contribute and become a leader in the group. If I had
encountered him in a traditional classroom, I would have had a very different idea of his abilities.
As someone who is interested in going into education, this is hugely important realization for me
to keep in mind.
Working in an organic garden and teaching students about environmentally friendly food
production made me feel deeply connected to the seventh principle, the interdependent web of all
existence. Many other principles tied in to my work this summer. Working with many different
children, it was important to remember the first and second principles: to value the inherent
worth and dignity of each child's contribution and to use justice, equity and compassion when
dealing with group dynamics and many different personalities. Finally, one seventh grader's
response to a journal question about helping your community by growing food eloquently
summed up my work this summer: “I think that I can help my community via growing food not
because I can single-handedly grow enough food to feed the community, but because I can
influence other people and this will pull our community together. Similarly, I think I have helped
my community by learning skills so that I can be helpful so that I can be an influence.” I felt that
this perfectly illustrated our program's larger goal and encompassed many principles, including
the sixth with the goal of world community.
This summer was an incredibly valuable experience for me. I learned that this is a field
that truly combines all of my interests and is something that I will be continuing in. I completely
loved the work I did, teaching and forming connections with the students. Also, my coworkers
were fantastic people who were all doing very interesting things and taught me innumerable
lessons. Finally, I feel much more connected to the outdoor education community and to the
sustainable food scene in Massachusetts. I would not have been able to do this unpaid internship
without SAF funding, and I am deeply appreciative for this opportunity. Thank you!
Susana Lyons-Kiang - Alley Pond Environmental Center
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau
Over the summer of 2013, I have worked at APEC, the Alley Pond Environmental Center,
through the Student Activity Fund. During this time, I’ve learned a lot about society and how I
can make a difference.
The place where I interned, the Alley Pond Environmental Center, also known as APEC,
is a non-profit organization that teaches people about the importance of conserving the
environment. One of the jobs I had was to assist in the teaching the summer classes for kids in
grades 3 and 4. We taught them about the environment, different animal habitats, and what they
can do every day to help conserve them. I felt that as I was teaching them that I was making a
difference. Those kids are the next generation and it is up to them to save our world when my
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generation fails to do so. I realized this when one of them looked up to me and told me in such a
sweet voice “Thank you Miss Susana. One day I’m going to know as much about the
environment as you do.” I was teaching these kids about the 7th principle- the interdependent
web of all existence of which we are a part.
My experiences at APEC have strengthened my commitment to educating myself and
others about the wonders of our natural world and its preservation. I believe that I have a
responsibility to continue to develop as an environmental advocate. I have been active in
communicating my concerns and positions to elected representatives at all levels through
petitions and emails. I hope to deepen my activism through work and the Social Justice
Committee at my congregation and on my own this year. For me, the earth and its creatures are
sacred.
Shiana Mainarich - Women’s Fund of Long Island
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
I was a little nervous at first, this being my first job, but I ended up enjoying my time
working for the SAF at the Women’s Fund of Long Island (WFLI). I had a nice taste of what life
could be like when you work at doing something you love; For me, that was performing an
artistic activity, and at the same time helping society in general.
Rather than working face-to-face with people in need, I instead focused on the PR aspect
of social work, and the changes that must be met to keep up with the increasingly digital world. I
edited videos and helped to rebrand old footage, which in turn was put on Youtube so that
inspiring, empowering, stories of women leaders could be shared to the World Wide Web.
From day one, I gained valuable experience at the WFLI. Two months ago when I
showed up for my interview, I was nervous. This was my first job interview. Ever. When I went
inside, I was greeted with a friendly, “Hello! We’ve been expecting you!” Everyone on the small
staff was so friendly and welcoming, so I felt reassured immediately, and felt more confident
about myself. I gained experience in learning how to promote my skill set, and I got the job.
Through my work at the WFLI I learned that there are many ways to help people. The
UU principle “we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person” and “we
respect the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part” apply to charity
organizations, too. People directly working with people in need are important, but the people
who file the taxes, and edit videos matter, too, for everyone works towards the goal of “justice,
equity and compassion in human relations.” Working with the WFLI allowed me to experience
these UU principles in relation to social action first hand.
My time at WFLI also gave me exposure to topics discussed at the Income Inequality
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Workshops. The ultimate goal of the WFLI is to “…ignite networks that transform the lives of
women and girls on Long Island…,” which includes distributing grants to grass root
organizations that work towards empowering women and girls on Long Island. They also form
connections between organizations with similar goals to expand support for those causes. I
remember editing a video of a speech made by the former Secretary of State, Madeline Allbright,
where she addressed the problem of women in terms of positions of power. I was reminded of
when, during the workshop, we discussed inequality between genders in the workforce, which
then reminded me of the racial discrimination, and decreasing economic mobility. This made me
realize that everything within social justice is connected. And if we can fix at least one aspect of
the problem of inequality, then the rest will surely follow. I hope to work again with the WFLI to
continue working towards this change!
Dana Majewski - Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer I interned at the Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association. This association
provides a camp for children ages five through thirteen. It is a less expensive substitute to the
customary summer camp. Nevertheless, the staff that works there is determined to provide a
fun and safe outlet for children coming from lower-income families. The campers go on field
trips three times a week to places such as the Bronx Zoo, Chuck E Cheese, The Hall of
Science, pools, and parks. Throughout the summer, I was responsible for monitoring children
of all ages, and engaging with the kids through various games. This summer was an
extremely enlightening and fulfilling experience. I never expected to learn so much from a
children’s summer camp.
While playing cards, an eleven year old boy asked me if I was wearing contacts
because he has never seen someone with blue eyes up close before. Nevertheless, I was
treated the same as the rest of the counselors throughout the summer and the color of my skin
never influenced the relations I had with the children. All of the children that attended the
camp come from different backgrounds and families. Some children had a parent still in their
native country, a few kids I worked with had close relatives in prison, and some children just
recently came to the United States. But no matter how different the children were, they all
got along and played together despite their cultural and personal backgrounds. Having no
separation along race or socioeconomic lines was a stark contrast compared to what I faced
in high school. Throughout school, I witnessed how friend groups were separated
predominantly by ethnicity.
Furthermore, throughout this summer, I became increasingly aware of the
Unitarian Universalist principle: “The inherent worth and dignity of every person.” Every
person that I came in contact with this summer, no matter of their ethnicity, socioeconomic
background, or where they lived, were given equal opportunity to have fun, make friends,
and influence the planning of activities. Furthermore, the Unitarian Universalist principle,
“Justice, equity and compassion in human relations,” was also demonstrated in this summer
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camp. All of the counselors and directors treated the children compassionately, politely, and
fairly. The directors of the camp would take money out of there own pocket to help pay for
extra treats. One experience that stands out to me is when the field trip to the Bronx Zoo did
not turn out as well as planned. One child acted up and ended up running away from the
group. It was a very stressful experience for the counselors. However, when we returned to
the camp, the summer camp director went and bought all of the counselors Italian ices from
the deli next door with her own money.
All in all, this experience was a great way to spend the summer before college. It
enforced the Unitarian Universalist principles, and provided insights into other ways people
live. Everyone who worked there was passionate about helping those with less, even though
those working there were also struggling financially. The lessons I learned this summer will
stay with me, and influence my actions for many years to come.
Matthew McGill - SCO Family of Services and North Shore Animal Lover’s
League
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer I was lucky enough to be involved with two different agencies as part of my
Student Activity Fund experience. For the entire duration of the summer I worked at an
organization called SCO Family of Services. SCO is an organization that runs various group
homes for children and young-adults around the Long Island, New York City metropolitan area. I
worked in the Human Resources department of SCO, which oversees the employee-organization
relations of 4,000, some-odd, employees.
During my time at SCO I learned about the role of a
human-resources department within the context of a non-profit organization. Although I was not
directly involved with patient-care in the group homes I was able to witness first-hand many of
the challenges that face the administrative level of a non-profit. With my SAF funding I was able
to help with the administrative functions of the office. I think that working for this company was
a valuable experience for me because it helped me to explore professional fields that I would not
otherwise have considered. During my time at SCO I realized that working behind a desk in an
office was definitely not something that I wanted to pursue professionally.
The great thing about this was that flexibility SAF gave me the freedom to explore other
opportunities that I felt like I could relate to more. During the second half of the summer I
volunteered once a week at the North Shore Animal Lover’s League. I was grateful to have this
opportunity because I have always loved working with animals. At the shelter I was responsible
for cleaning the animals’ cages, feeding the cats, and socializing the animals.
Both of my experiences helped me to connect with my Unitarian Universalist faith.
Because of the nature of the work, I was to exploring two particular principles, “the inherent
worth and dignity of every person” and “respect for the interdependent web of all existence
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which we are a part.” SCO supplies essential living needs for people who would otherwise be
completely destitute.
I think that it is important to remember that we, as Unitarian Universalists, have an
inherent responsibility to care for all creatures on earth, not just humans. This is why I decided to
pursue a work opportunity dealing with animals. I have always been an advocate for human
rights, but I wanted to expand my experience working on animal advocacy. It was very
rewarding working on this internship because I felt like I was able to see the affect of the work I
was doing at the end of each day. I felt like because of my presence at the animal shelter, the
animals were able to have a more comfortable experience, which made me happy.
Although the advocacy workshop did not directly relate to my internship, I feel that it
was still a valuable experience for me. I was able to expand my understanding of the political
and social climate of the United States and speak in a more informed manner on social justice
issues. I definitely felt more connected to my faith after engaging in these workshops and they
inspired me to continue my work in social justice fields in the future. As always I felt blessed to
be able to work through SAF because I knew the work I was doing was making a positive
influence on our world.
Jamie McKaie - New York Communities for Change
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
New York Communities for Change (NYCC) has been by far the best internship I have
had through the student activity fund. Two of my life goals is to be a community organizer and
teacher someday and NYCC was the starting point in reaching one of those goals. NYCC works
with low-income families in its chapters through out New York City around housing issues,
education issues, and worker's rights. I had the opportunity to organize in Brownsville in
Brooklyn, particularly around housing issues in Marcus Garvey Village. In addition to
organizing around housing issues, I kept members informed about education issues, like colocated schools, and the Fast Food Forward campaign which is in support of better pay and
working conditions for fast food workers. Organizing has been a rewarding and ongoing learning
process that I definitely see myself continuing.
Besides organizing an action for my chapter, I thought the fast food strikes on July 24th
were very exciting. There were strikes all over the city and one of them was at the KFC in
Brownsville. I was responsible for turn out to that strike. Following KFC, we went to Wendy's
on Fulton and two McDonalds after. The turn out for the McDonalds in Union Square was
unbelievable. The crowd was so large that we took over all of the west side of the park. It's
actions like this that make me believe in the power of numbers. The strikes were a success
because they were all over the news for the rest of that week and I was happy to see how all our
hard work paid off.
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Interning at NYCC was a very valuable experience that I will never forget. I learned the
basics of organizing. For example, I learned how to run chapter meetings and what it takes to
have successful actions. To have successful actions, you need to have a united chapter and make
a lot of phone calls with other leaders in the chapter. Establishing close relationships with
members is essential. In addition to learning how to organize, I became more familiar with New
York City politics and current issues that New Yorkers are facing, such as stop and frisk and
living on minimum wage. Also, I became more familiar with the different neighborhoods in
Brooklyn. I feel like my contribution to NYCC was helping rebuild the Brownsville chapter. I
made new contacts and got new members for the Brownsville chapter which hopefully the next
organizer can build off of.
My internship was greatly related to several of the UU principles. NYCC focuses on
making the voices of low-income families heard and encourages its members to participate in the
democratic process by giving them information so they can make an informed decision on who
to vote for. Also, the work NYCC does clearly demonstrates the belief in the inherent worth and
dignity of every person. NYCC definitely strengthened my belief in the democratic process.
Interning at NYCC was an unforgettable and valuable experience that I hope other youth and
young adults in the Student Activity Fund program experience one day.
Aaron Miner - Mary Brennan Inn and Long Island Children’s Museum
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer I worked at two very different internships through the Student Activity
Fund and the Unitarian Universalist church. Though I originally chose them because of their
differences, I ended up enjoying them because of the shared commitment to both the UU
principles of Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations, as well as catering to the
inherent worth and dignity of every human being. By using my summer to follow and forward
these two Unitarian Universalist tenants, I turned an average summer into an enriching one, one
in which I witnessed the human experiences that truly make these tenants necessary.
My first internship was at an organization regularly frequented by Student Activity Fund
volunteers. The Mary Brennan Soup Kitchen, and the interfaith Nutrition Network as a whole,
have made it a goal to prevent hunger on long Island. The Mary Brennan Inn (also known as the
INN) is located in Hempstead and regularly sees 300 plus people for its afternoon meal. Though
I had had some volunteering experience with them coming in, I was truly unprepared to regularly
see the face of hunger, and the wide array of resources that are needed to fight it. My regular
contributions and duties included bringing in and sorting donations, making bags for leaving
visitors, as well as cleaning, preparing and assisting in the meals and special projects. But my
main contribution and requirement was to serve. Every day we would get the trays of food when
lunch was ready, and either serve them to all guests, or on crowded days, to only the elderly and
children. This is where I gave the most, and in all honesty, received the most. Every day I would
interact with the guests, and hear or overhear their stories. The man who lost his job. The elderly
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without enough money to support themselves. Families trying to live a normal life, but are
struggling to get by. All of them intersected with me, and all of them changed me. They taught
me the importance of remembering that every person, even the meanest looking beggar, has a
story and a reason, and that everyone is born with worth and meaning. It’s life that takes it away.
And it’s a responsible person’s job to help try and give it back. That is what I earned in my
summer at the Soup Kitchen.
My second Internship took place at a less conventional service opportunity, and an
organization that was originally not going to be accepted as a Student Activity Fund internship. I
spent the other half of my summer working at the Long Island Children’s Museum. Though the
museum may seem like a suburban museum for well off people, it actually is a non-profit that
runs tons of programs for the less well off. Every day of the summer camp groups trooped
through the museum, and many were brought in for free through programs run through
disadvantaged neighborhoods. And in my opinion we provided these kids with just as important
a service as the Soup Kitchen did. Children in disadvantaged families and areas miss out on
opportunities for learning and growth, miss the chance to develop creativity and the skills that
will help them climb the ladder of society later in life. Very few go to learning areas specifically
for younger children, which the museum is. And working with kids to teach and foster growth
was an unbelievable experience that is incredibly hard to describe. Everyday our contributions
were to work with kids in the area we were in charge of, and make sure they were learning,
seeing, building, exploring, and even just having fun. And though we were not informed which
people coming through were disadvantaged or not, even that taught me a valuable lesson. Every
person is the same, and deserves the same treatment. Every kid can and should be taught,
regardless of situation, of need, and of wealth. It taught me Justice, equity, and compassion in
human relations. Because every person I met deserved to be treated with compassion, and all of
them deserved it equally.
At both of these organizations I learned how the Unitarian Universalist points interact
with real life. A learned how to function as a worker and accomplish a goal. I learned the
importance of service to the community. But most importantly I learned to look at complex
problems such as hunger and education in terms of people, not numbers. Hunger isn’t a statistic
on a chart, it’s seeing a man with no other options than going to a soup kitchen, who needs clean
clothes for his one job interview, and a lunch to go, because walking there will take him several
hours. Education isn’t about bad schools or teachers, it’s about kids who just need someone to
help point them in the right direction. Every human has inherent worth and value, and even that’s
something I’d already been taught before, it’s something I only truly learned this summer.
Zach Miner - Mary Brennan Inn and Long Island Children’s Museum.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
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When I was looking for possible internships through the Student Activity Fund this
summer, I was not sure what I wanted to do. I eventually settled on doing two internships, one at
the Long Island Children’s Museum, and one at The Mary Brennan Inn, which is part of the
Interfaith Nutrition Network. Each internship presented very different environments and very
different duties to fill. Each internship presented different experiences, but ultimately both were
very enriching.
The Long Island Children’s Museum is located in Garden City near the Cradle of
Aviation. At the Children’s Museum, throughout the day I rotated through different areas of the
museum, each one focusing on an individual learning experience. Some of the areas included
sounds and how it works, a woodworking area, and an outdoor garden. At each station I worked
with and supervised groups of children, some there with their parents, and others there with
certain church, camp, or inner city youth groups. It was a pleasure being able to help kids
discover that learning could be fun at such an early age in their life. I not only enjoyed working
with the kids individually, but also with groups of kids that may not have had the experience to
be able to afford such an experience on their own. Overall, I learned a lot about what it means to
be responsible for many people at once, but also what it is like to deal with adults, not just
children. Overall, my experience at the Long Island Children’s Museum was very enriching.
The second internship I completed was for the Mary Brennan Inn. The Mary Brennan Inn
is a soup kitchen that helps provide meals for Long Island’s homeless. The Inn allows guests to
take clothes from a shop and gives them lunch and bags of food to take home. At the Inn my
roles varied from day to day. Some days I would work to help keep the Inn clean, which entailed
sweeping, mopping the floor, and taking out the garbage, other days I would assist in dealing
with and serving the guests. This was my favorite part of the internship. Throughout the summer
I was able to deal with people that I would have never been able to otherwise. It was very
enriching to hear firsthand the struggle that so many people go through just to be able to put food
on the table. I was particularly taken aback at one of the experiences of a guest. The man had
been married for years with his wife and had had a child with her, she recently lost her job and
she became involved with drugs. The man was left to care for the child each day and make sure
he could pay his bills while still finding a source of income. Throughout the whole ordeal he kept
a positive attitude. Being someone who has never been in a situation like that, it was nice to see
that he had a good attitude. Because of this, I learned not only to be more positive but to also
look for the silver lining in everything. I not only enjoyed but learned from my internship at the
Mary Brennan Inn.
Throughout both of my internships I discovered many things. That sometimes you need
to ask others for help. That some people have it worse off than you do, and that someone always
needs help, among other things. My experiences, most notably related to the UU principle that
each person has inherent worth and dignity. The people at the Inn just wanted to be considered
average people. Overall, it showed that tragedy and misfortune could happen to anyone,
including myself, so it is important to respect and care for all no matter what your relationship
with them is. My experiences through the Student Activity Fund were extremely successful, and
I look forward to completing another internship through the SAF next year.
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William Morris - Bethel Hobbs Community Farm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook
I spent my summer internship working for Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, an
organization dedicated to the growing of organic produce to be donated to a local soup kitchen
and food pantry. I assisted in various stages of the farming process, such as weeding, laying
mulch, planting seeds, and harvesting. I was also available to help with more circumstantial
tasks, including fetching woodchips and painting wooden planks. As a whole, the experience
taught me about the importance of community service and social action both directly and
metaphorically.
It was very rewarding just to know that the fruits and vegetables I was helping to grow
were going to be used to feed the less fortunate right in my own community, but the
characteristics of my internship affected my understanding of each person’s role in social action.
I didn’t have set hours; I could come and work whenever I wanted. That really taught me that
social action is not just a responsibility; it’s a choice. We all have to make the conscious decision
to make our communities better for everyone. The nature of my work was also an important
factor in teaching me about helping others. It taught me that it’s not always the most important
thing to see the fruits of your labour; sometimes all that matters is that you had the goal to help
others and planted the seeds (symbolically, that is; in this case I did more than plant seeds).
I feel like my experience this summer strengthened my understanding of the second
principle, justice, equity, and compassion in human relations, because I knew that my work was
helping to provide wholesome nourishment for those less fortunate than myself. My agreement
with the seventh principle was tested by some of the peskier bugs, which I thankfully managed to
avoid disrespecting. Likely the most influential part of my internship was seeing at the end of the
summer how well the zucchinis that I planted at the beginning of my internship grew. They were,
by far, the largest zucchinis I had ever seen, and I think that was a good metaphor for the
vivifying power of compassion.
Overall, my experience working at Hobbs Farm enhanced my appreciation for the
difference one person can make in making his or her community a better place. I think that my
Unitarian Universalist values played a part in guiding me during my internship. They helped me
to know that my work was for a worthwhile and necessary cause, and I’m certain that my
understanding of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist is now stronger than ever.
Andrew Ross - Mauna Kea Visitor Center
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau
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For those who aren’t familiar with the island of Hawai’i, Mauna Kea is a volcano, the
tallest peak on all the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, from its base on the sea floor it rises 33,000 feet,
about 13,792 feet of which are above sea level. That makes it the tallest mountain in the world.
The summit of Mauna Kea is among the most sacred places in traditional Hawaiian culture. It
also happens to be an excellent mountain for viewing the stars, maybe the best in the world.
There are many advantages the mountain has, among them, no light pollution, low turbulence,
very good latitude, and easy access to the perfect viewing elevations. The scientists have the
perfect location, but there is also a conscientious effort of preserving the sacred lands and
educating the public on Hawaiian culture and history. Hawaiians still come to Lake Waiau on
the Summit to partake in ancient rituals. There has been a strong resurgence of Hawaiian culture
the past 30 years. The rediscovery of the wayfinding techniques, navigation using stars, spurred
a “Hawaiian Renaissance.” The scientific community has been working with the local
community to make sure the Visitor Center can be as helpful as possible.
Working at the Mauna Kea Visitor Center was an excellent experience. I had fun, and
learned so much. I tried to make a positive and lasting impact on the Visitor Center, the people
working there, and most importantly, the visitors. I know the Visitor Center, and visitors have
impacted me. The volunteer work I did on the mountain has helped me mature into an
independent young man. I am more comfortable when interacting with many people, and gained
patience when confronted with a language barrier. While working at Mauna Kea Visitor Center,
I was responsible for many, very expensive, telescopes. Not only was I responsible for the
telescopes but for the visitors safety, and education.
Among my responsibilities as a volunteer was to help bring the sun scope in and bring the
big scopes out. I watched the cash register, and got used to the work routine quickly. I had
worked at the Visitor Center in the fall of 2012. Everything was coming back to me. I usually
stayed out with the scopes and people all night, or until I got too cold. Once I got back up to
speed I became one of the senior volunteers. Maybe the most important contribution I could
have made for the Visitor Center was my ability and willingness to train other, newer volunteers.
I took a leading role in training three other volunteers, while helping all the others as much as I
could.
On my first night back, I spoke to a few boy scouts that had great appreciation for the
stars. They saw the moon and its craters through a telescope. Then we focused on Saturn, and
could even see four of its five major moons. The boy scouts didn't know about Saturn’s moon
and quickly took interest. After speaking to another child, he told me he wanted to be an
astronomer when he grows up. I helped a few handicapped children use the telescope, and they
loved it, especially Saturn. I tried to get them involved, I showed them where the focus knob is
and I set up a stepping stool to make it easy for them to look. One of the little girls happened to
be from Massapequa. In the visitor comment book, she wrote that she “found the first thing that
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truly fascinates me.” Most visitors think the same thing; they ask if the images they see in the
telescope are stickers. People were truly amazed and literally star struck.
Working at the VIS center, I gained valuable experience and skill in teaching,
communicating/public speaking, and patience. Honestly, my time on the mountain helped
strengthen my faith in humanity. Learning and teaching about Hawaiian culture reminds me of
the ingenuity and brilliance of the human spirit and mind. Without steel, compasses, or maps,
the Polynesians were able to navigate the expansive Pacific Ocean. Using the stars, the ancient
Hawaiians traveled thousands of miles to find the most isolated archipelago in the world. These
are the wayfinding techniques that were referenced earlier. It wasn’t until a thousand years later
before European navigators like Christopher Columbus mastered these techniques. The
Polynesians have a profound respect and understanding of nature, it is quite inspiring.
Every night at the Visitor Center, watching the astonishment on the faces of the visitors, I
was reminded how powerful human curiosity and determination can be. The human mind, so
fragile yet so complex, really is beautiful. We can barely comprehend the distance between earth
and our moon let alone the 80 light minutes it takes to get to Saturn. One of my favorite celestial
objects to focus on was Omega Centauri. Omega Centauri is a globular cluster that is believed to
have been a dwarf galaxy that collided with our Milky Way a long time ago. There is now a
black hole in its center; thankfully it is about 15,800 light years from our planet. It is a brilliant
reminder of how small we are. I know looking at these distant stars and galaxies stimulates me
to engage in a search for truth and meaning. I can only imagine the impact on the youth after
looking and learning about the heavens.
It has helped me, and others looking at our universe, attain a new concept of humility.
We are all one on this tiny rock floating in the ocean of the universe. Looking at all the majestic,
yet dead celestial object, one truly realizes how rare and delicate the life on our planet is. I can
truly appreciate the interconnected web that has made our world so unique and special. The
existence of the fiercest predators is as important and impactful as the smallest, seemingly
insignificant organisms. I am as aware as I have ever been about my responsibilities and abilities
as one human being. I hope that I may have been a catalyst for another person’s quest for
meaning and truth.
Madeleine Schwab - Let’s Get Ready and Office of Congressman Steve
Israel
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer I worked for Let’s Get Ready and the office of Congressman Steve Israel.
While my work at Let’s Get Ready was entirely direct service, my work for Congressman Israel
was primarily focused on implementing policy and on advocacy. At the Let’s Get Ready site, I
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coached a group of low-income New York City high school juniors and seniors on the SAT and
college admissions. Each week I carefully planned my lesson – based on the students’ learning
styles, interests, strengths and weaknesses – and edited their personal statements. At the
Congressman’s Office, I worked on research and on compiling a list of local doctors so that we
could help constituents understand and benefit from the Affordable Care Act. I also assisted with
event planning and staffing. For example, I helped an event where veterans who were exposed to
Agent Orange – a chemical used during the Vietnam War that has now been linked to serious
health problems – could learn more about treatment.
At Let’s Get Ready, I learned how to be a more effective teacher – by connecting to my
students, understanding their background, and tailoring my lessons to fit their needs. I also
learned a lot about the college admissions struggle for students from low-income neighborhoods.
Many of these students will be the first person in their family to attend college. While this makes
their parents proud and excited, it also means that their parents may not be able to give them the
same advantages other parents can give their children. Their parents may not have the resources
to pay for expensive prep classes or tutors or to pay to send them to visit prospective colleges.
Their parents may also not be very knowledge about the college admissions process.
My students inspired and motivated me to try my best in preparing lessons. One of my
students, for example, traveled on a ferry, a bus, and a train to come to class every week. He was
always early too! He consistently completed his homework on time and he worked tirelessly to
improve his personal statement. It was so inspiring to see his dedication to learning and his
commitment to prepare for college. I learned that despite the circumstances, motivated students
will put in the extra effort to achieve their dreams.
At the Congressman’s office, I learned how government works to help individuals. The
office often speaks to government agencies to advocate for the constituents. I met many
individuals who walked in with an issue – such as getting Social Security benefits. One
experience I had while shadowing one of the office’s caseworkers taught me how to be an active
and helpful listener. A constituent called; she was evidently distressed over her struggle to get
government affordable housing. I was amazed to listen how the caseworker both calmed the
woman and asked her the appropriate questions so that she could later speak to the appropriate
government agency. From this experience, I also learned the importance of remaining calm when
handling a problem. If the caseworker had become as distressed as the constituent, then she may
have acted irrationally when later speaking to government agencies on behalf of the constituent.
While I think many of the UU Principles relate to my experiences at Let’s Get Ready and
the office of Congressman Steve Israel, I believe that these two principles relate best: the
inherent worth and dignity of every person and justice, equity, and compassion in human
relations. The goal of Let’s Get Ready is to give young students college prep guidance – help that
they may not have received otherwise. It puts them on an equal playing field with their peers
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who can afford expensive SAT test prep and who have family/friends with knowledge of the
college admissions process. Similarly, my work at the Congressman’s office involved ensuring
fair treatment of all individuals – whether it be working with Vietnam veterans facing serious
health problems or senior citizens having trouble getting affordable housing. Often when
individuals would ask us for help, they would tell us they were a democrat. Every single time, we
assured them their political affiliation didn’t matter; the Congressman would help regardless of
who they voted for, their gender, their ethnicity, their religion, etc.
The Congressman’s Office often uses advocacy to produce social change. By advocating
for an individual to a government agency or advocating for his constituents in Congress, the
Congressman and his team used his political office to effect social change. By meeting with
constituents whether they walked into the office, called, or spoke to us at local events, we helped
the Congressman learn about local issues so that he could take those issues to congress.
My internship at Let’s Get Ready, on the other hand, was entirely direct service. While
advocacy is used to find a solution to fix a problem, direct service is focused on decreasing the
effect of a problem. I believe that direct service is critical for effective advocacy. We wouldn’t be
able to advocate for the rights of these teenagers without having worked with them first. After
having seen their struggles – and more importantly their unwavering motivation to succeed – I
feel very inspired to advocate for them.
Corey Soong - Wild Bird Fund
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
During this summer, I have had an internship at the Wild Bird Fund. The Wild Bird Fund
is an animal rehabilitation center. As one can infer from the name, the majority of its patients are
birds. However, it does take a few other animals. Among these are mice, squirrels, and turtles.
However, it is largely focused on birds. Being that it is located in Manhattan, many of the birds
there are pigeons, or rock doves. It also houses (as of the writing of this essay) swans, blue jays,
an egret, a mallard, a gull, a mockingbird, a partridge, a few mourning doves, and a couple of
squirrels. Its focus is to get these animals in a state where they can be released where they were
found. As such, it attempts to avoid a having the animals become used to or attached to people.
My work there involved basically helping out with whatever needed to be done. Among
these activities were cleaning the cages of the birds, feeding the birds, sweeping the floor,
moping the floor, tube feeding birds that had a hard time swallowing, organizing items, and
several other activities. These activities needed to be done, and there is usually a lot of pressure
to do these things, and there are many things that have to be kept track of at once. I feel that I
helped the staff by doing several jobs and allowing them to focus on more important ones,
knowing that these jobs were being done.
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Overall, I learned a few things from my experience at this agency. The first thing that I
learned is how to feed pigeons. I also learned how to feed baby songbirds using syringes and
water mixed with a formula. In addition, I learned how baby pigeons appear and act. I learned
how to feed pigeons through a tube. These things are the things I have learned while working at
this agency.
This paragraph is about an example I had of an experience at the agency. This experience
involved three birds in a cage. I was assigned to feed the birds some dog food, and as I got one
out of this cage, I noticed that it was making very strange choking sounds. I went over to a staff
member who examined it a bit, then told me not to feed it. It soon stopped making the sounds.
Later, as I was cleaning its cage, I noticed that it was not moving very much. I walked towards it
to see if it would avoid me, and it just stood there. When I picked it up, it started making the
strange choking sounds again. I brought it over to the staff, but then it started to become very
distressed. Within a few seconds it was dead. The next day, one of its cage mates died. The
reason for death of these two birds was never discovered. What I learned from this experience is
that life is never absolute and could end at any time.
The experience represents the seventh UU Principle. That is “Respect for the
interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” It relates to this because the agency
was an animal rehabilitation center. The quote makes reference to other things that are not
human, and among these are the animals which are cared for in the organization. It has
strengthened my UU values by being a part of positive change in the world.
The agency has nothing to do with income inequality. It relates to environmental
stewardship and animal rights.
Amanda Treco - Art Beyond Sight
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
This summer I interned in New York City with the Art Beyond Sight Institute. The main
goal of this agency is to empower cultural institutions to provide accessible and inclusive
environments for all their patrons including those with disabilities and their families. They also
provide classes that integrate art into learning various life skills for students that are blind,
visually impaired and learning disabled. From this internship, a whole new world opened up to
me. I never thought much about the blind community, or how they are integrated into the art
world and coexist with my own world.
As a Fine Arts and Psychology student, I was particularly excited to teach art and create
specifically tailored projects for blind and visually impaired students. It was interesting to see
how the students interacted with different materials and each other. The whole process was new
to me, and I was tentative at first, but it was gratifying in the end. One particularly eye opening
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experience was assisting a tour for the blind and visually impaired at the Guggenheim Museum.
The art exhibit was mainly work by James Turrell, an artist who uses light as his medium. I got
to interact with the people in the tour group, who arranged from youth to adults and get their own
personal take on the experience of the art exhibit, and how it differed so much from the way that
someone with sight might perceive the exhibit. Not only did I feel grateful to be able to share in
such a unique experience, but it was great to see that such opportunities exist for the visually
impaired. Museums are working toward improving their tours for the blind, which is something
that Art Beyond Sight is on the forefront of.
Art Beyond Sight is focused on helping to teach those who need it, especially those who
are not advocated for, in a way that is respectful and treats each individual with the care and
equality they deserve. Not only did they reach out to the community, but they also supported one
another within the office community. One of the great things that I got out of working at this
organization was also that I was constantly surrounded by caring, good natured, curious people
who were always enthusiastic about learning and encouraged me to take every interesting
opportunity that arose. I was allowed to assist in teaching internship skills to visually impaired
students, attend museum events, create art projects for various events, and was even encouraged
to walk about the city and experience the culture first hand. Working with people who encourage
learning and also share in my beliefs was inspiring and rewarding.
Personally, I feel that the time and work I put into Art Beyond Sight creating newsletters
and designing brochures of information and pictures has been time well spent. With the use of
these materials the agency will become better known to other schools and organizations, and will
be able to provide their resources to more communities throughout the city. Additionally, due to
the limited amount of staff, having someone to help out with daily tasks freed the rest of the staff
to apply for grants, attend meetings with museums, do research and take care of other projects
and business, therefore improving their productivity.
Within the agency, there is a strong reliance on grants and donations for support, so it is
encouraging to see that the organization is flourishing. From teaching art and music to help
visually impaired children learn life skills, to creating Apps for smart phones to help guide the
blind around museums, I can really see the progress that is being made towards their goals, both
on a small and large scale. The support from the community is a necessary component to keeping
this organization and others like it running, and I will continue to do my best to advocate and
support organizations such as Art Beyond Sight in the future.
Vanessa Ventola - Greenmarket & Queens Botanical Gardens
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens
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This summer I participated in an internship with Greenmarket, and volunteered at the
Queens Botanical Gardens. Both engagements were rewarding but varied in the time and
emotional commitment they necessitated.
At the Botanical Gardens I volunteered one to two days a week in the Children's Garden.
The Children's Garden runs programs for children aged 5-12 which have a focus on learning
about plants, vegetables, and nature. Snack time comes straight from the garden, and the kids
help with the harvest and preparation of the vegetables. The most obvious way to draw a
connection between this program and our Unitarian Universalist faith is to consider our seventh,
and in my opinion, most important of all the principles. Now, I know it may not be very U.U. to
say one of the principles is any more valuable than the others, but does respect for the
interdependent web of all existence (of which we are a part) not encompass all the previous
principles on our list? Respect has many forms. One is not respecting the web if they are not
valuing the inherent worth and dignity of all beings, nor is one respecting the web if they are not
striving towards justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. But, I digress. The
Children's Garden upholds my favorite principle by encouraging children to appreciate the
natural world, and to understand that time, labor, rain, and nutrients all go into producing the
foods we eat. The importance of children's agricultural and environmental education is too often
understated. I believe that developing a conscientious relationship to food (the earlier the better,
in this case) is the first step in fighting issues surrounding modern food production.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to the Children's Garden, however
my position there was not working with the kids. I served mainly as a garden maintenance
worker. The Children's Garden does not have the (wo)manpower to keep the garden well
manicured, efficient, and comfortable for the children. Most of my work related to clearing
weeds, uprighting tomato plants, and making walk ways through the bushier parts of the garden.
It was dirty, sweaty work, and at times frustrating, but I enjoyed seeing the product of my efforts
and knowing I was aiding the children's program, even if only behind the scenes.
My internship with Greenmarket was a more personally rewarding endeavor.
Greenmarket is the governing body of 54 farmers' markets in New York City. My internship was
focused at a handful of the markets operating in Queens, where I was born and raised. I regularly
worked at two of the markets, one in Astoria, and one in Corona. The most interesting aspect of
my position was observing the people and the neighborhoods, and seeing the contrast between
different parts of the borough. Astoria is a predominantly white, middle class neighborhood. It is
known for being a Greek area, but in recent years it has become something of a hot spot for the
late twenties crowd. The market in Astoria is held in Socrates Sculpture Park, a public, outdoor
art space, which is also a popular location for joggers and cyclers. Corona is a predominantly
Hispanic, low income neighborhood. The Corona market is held under the 103rd Street station on
the 7 train line (not far from Flushing Meadow Park), and is deliberately placed 20 feet outside
of a WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) center.
My experience at the Corona market is highly relevant to our discussion on social
inequalities at the July 25th Advocacy Workshop. My job at the farmers' market was assistant to
the market manager. I worked in an information tent where we provide literature about our
overarching organization (GrowNYC), Greenmarket, composting, recipes, seasonality of
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vegetables, and a variety of other subjects that might be market specific. At the Corona market,
our market information tent offers food stamp screening which is done by a Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) employee. Our table provides information in English,
Spanish, and (sometimes) Chinese regarding the use of EBT card and WIC checks at
Greenmarkets, a service not always provided at farmers' or other outdoor markets. At college, I
am a student in International Agriculture and Food Systems, and I intend to find a career related
to expanding food security, or combatting food inequality. I was thrilled to be working for an
organization that made fresh, local, seasonal food accessible to those receiving government food
aid, since so often lower income communities do not have equitable food access privileges.
The rationale for why the Corona Greenmarket is located outside of a WIC center has
many aspects. One reason is to attract consumers and inform them that they can use their WIC
checks at the farmers' market. Another is because Greenmarket has a promotion going on where
if women use their monthly WIC fresh fruit and vegetable checks at the market, they receive
bonus coupons to spend at any stand at the market (a $2 coupon for a $6 check, two $2 coupons
for a $10 check, and three $2 coupons for a $15 check). This increases their buying power by
33.33-40%. (As a side note, there is a similar program sponsored by the Department of Health
that gives a $2 coupon for every $5 spent with an EBT card.) Also, Greenmarket has a
partnership with the NYC Department of Health's Stellar Markets program. This program teaches
participants about preparing local, healthy, and affordable meals using seasonal items. In order to
receive WIC checks, women must first complete a nutrition class. The Stellar program fulfills
this requirement, meaning that women can go to the WIC center, apply for the checks, take the
nutrition course, and receive their checks all in the same trip instead of in three separate ones.
Since many women must bring their children with them this makes the process significantly
easier. The unique set up and partnerships present at the Corona Greenmarket are agents in our
U.U. principle of striving for justice, equity, and compassion in all human relations.
Learning about government entitlement and grant programs was the most valuable facet
of my internship. One surprising thing I learned is that when individuals receive either WIC
checks or welfare benefits they are not always taught how to effectively or strategically use
them. Since the Corona farmers' market is located so close to the WIC center, we had many
customers who were using their WIC checks for the first time. The majority of the time, they had
not been informed how to actually use their WIC checks before leaving the WIC center, and the
market manager and myself would sometimes address groups of women who were using their
WIC checks for the first time and explain how to use them not only at our market but also at any
grocery store in general. In our specific situation, where we had an amicable relationship with
the WIC center, we expected that the employees at the WIC center would explain the coupon
promotion to their clients. People receiving WIC checks may be receiving two different types of
checks: monthly checks which come is $6, $10, and $15 increments, and/or a $4 check through
the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, meaning the latter was only accepted at certified farmers'
markets (including Greenmarket but also other farmers' market conglomerates). Women leaving
the WIC center did not always understand the difference between the two types of checks, or that
only the monthly checks were applicable for the coupons. It was a telling experience to see how
little support women received from the institution supplying them with the benefits.
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Overall, I am greatly appreciative for the opportunities I had this summer. Although I
enjoyed gardening at the Queens Botanical Gardens, I found my internship at Greenmarket to be
enriching and pertinent to my current studies and interests in food issues, and to my U.U. values.
Lisa Weingarten - Bobbi and The Strays Animal Shelter
South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation
This summer I volunteered at Bobbi and The Strays animal shelter in Freeport. The
experience I had at the shelter was unbelievable and changed me in many ways. I’ve always
been an unbalanced person when it came to spending my own time in my life. Working here
gave me a lot more responsibility and balance my time in my daily choices. I choose Bobbi and
The Strays animal shelter as my internship spot because it has to do with my plans for college.
I’m not sure what exactly I want to study in college or be when I get older but I know for sure I
am interested in science and I have a strong passion for working and learning about animals. I
figured working for Bobbi And The Strays would give me a good sense if physically saving and
caring for animals was for me.
My experience at the shelter was nothing but positive for the times I wasn't drained by the time
half my day was even over. I worked a lot and helped the staff out immensely. Usually when
volunteers come in they just pet cats and brush them but at the shelter I became considered a lot
more then a volunteer. Often times I’d be taking over some of their jobs so they could get
everything else done on time. Throughout my whole time at the shelter my daily activities
would change constantly. My first day I brushed cat trees and hand washed dishes for seven
hours straight. I was mostly supposed to be working with the cats so on my second day I was
surprised when someone took me by the hand and told me to clean out the dog cages while the
staff takes the dogs on their walks. I was surprised but wiling to do this task. My purpose for
having my internship at the shelter was to help in anyway possible. I put gloves on, got down to
my knees and crawled in every single cage, cleaning up everything the dogs had excreted
throughout the night. As bad as you could imagine, it was actually kind fun, though gross. It
was just me cleaning these cages while two staff members would walk the dogs and by the time
they came back with the dogs I was to clean the cage fully, take out the old bedding, sanitize the
cage, put new bedding, towels, and toys in the cage and put a new food and water bowl in. It
was a lot for me to do, especially on my second day on my first job, but I enjoyed it. For the rest
of my time at the shelter I went from doing the dished, laundry and cat litter to handling the cats,
cleaning full cages and rooms by myself, caring for the kitten and helping with anything needed.
To me it was a lot of fun and I had done what I accomplished, helping not only animals but other
people too, that’s what made me feel the best.
After finishing my internship at Bobbi and the strays I came to realize the most important
thing I’ve done. A month into summer my best friend, who is also my next door neighbors’ dog
of fifteen years passed away. It was extremely hard and they swore they were not getting
another dog, a week and a half later they realized they needed another one, it was lonely and they
wanted another dog to love. When I found this out I begged and begged them just to check out
Bobbi And The Strays I told them they don't have to get anything but they can just look. The
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dogs at the shelter are loving and just want a home to be loved in. The animals at the shelter are
treated amazingly. To be honest I know for a fact everyday I went to work I treated every animal
better then I would treat myself. After some convincing they finally came with me there. They
told the office exactly what they were looking for and they told us they have one dog that almost
completely fits what they wanted. This dog was Sweetie. A black small and fat toy pitbull. The
Boyles, my neighbors never even thought about having a pitbull because of their reputation and
their last dog was a Dalmatian. We spent a good forty-five minuets with Sweetie because the
conversation with the dog staff just kept going. Slowly without realization I think Sweetie grew
on them. Later on that night and the next day my friends mom told me she could not stop
thinking about Sweetie, she's the perfect dog for her. After little discussion they realized they
wanted to adopt Sweetie. They went to the shelter and that day her whole world had changed.
Sweetie, who is now Lily is drowned in love constantly and has never been happier. She loves
car rides and sleeping and barely ever barks. She's the best!
The reason that I mentioned my friends adopting Lily is because thats the best part of my
experience of working at the shelter. I know that I what I did has literally been life changing.
Now the shelter will have room for another dog suffering abandoned on the streets and Lily has
the best family that fit each other perfectly. I can’t help to think if I had not worked at the shelter
that Lily would still be searching for one loving family and the Boyles would still be looking for
the one dog for them. I have nothing but positive feedback from my internship at Bobbi And
The Strays and you could be sure to find me volunteering anytime throughout the year there. I
am grateful for my opportunity of the Student Activity Fund and Bobbi And The Strays. I feel
like I’m improving the world
on my own little by little by
doing the things I love. I hope
other people learn as much as I
did from SAF and I hope to
inspires others to help the
world.
The picture to the right
is of me and Lily with her new
family and friend that was
posted on Bobbi And The Stays
Facebook page after we took
her home. The dog workers
were sad to say goodbye but
happy for Lily knowing that
she's happy and in the hands of
a loving and caring family.
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Corinne Weinstein - Music & Memory and Long Island Progressive
Coalition
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau
This summer I once again worked at two organizations, Music & Memory and the Long
Island Progressive Coalition. Working at the same organizations as last year gave me a sense of
comfort, but also gave me a confidence to take on projects that I was passionate about and
interested in.
In the past, Music & Memory has primarily focused on bringing iPods into nursing
homes in order to help patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Recently however, my boss Dan
Cohen realized that iPads and other tablet devices could also substantially help elder care
patients. Therefore, my task for the entire summer was to create a spreadsheet of different types
of apps that can be used to help the elderly and those that take care of them, with the intention of
eventually giving it out to the public as a guide for caregivers. I searched for apps on both
Android and iPad devices, and was surprised to see how many useful apps of all different types
exist. After finding them I recorded their online ratings, and then gave my own explanation and
rating for each one. By the time the project was finished, I had reviewed almost 300 apps, and
organized them into categories to make the spreadsheet more user-friendly. The apps ranged
from brain training games, to meditation, to music, to journaling, and more. To conclude the
experience, I wrote a brief summary about the types of apps that I found and which ones I felt
could have the most positive impact on elderly patients’ lives.
Although that may not sound like the most exciting internship experience, I actually
found it very rewarding to be able to complete something that I knew not only would help others,
but had pretty much never been done before. It is a popular opinion that elderly people cannot
learn or even relate to technology, but creating this guide made it clear just how relevant
technology can and should be in their lives. Even apps that aren’t designed for elderly people can
greatly benefit elderly people. Out of all the principles, I feel that my work with Music &
Memory most relates to the principle of, “the inherent worth and dignity of every person.”
Elderly people are sometimes treated wrongly, and even as negligible parts of society, but they
clearly need to be treated with care and respect. Especially as the baby boomer generation
reaches retirement, it is more and more important to educate people about the proper way to treat
the elderly, integrate technology into the lives of people of every age. I feel that even though it
was a relatively small project, I can take pride in the fact that I have been able to contribute to
the goal of better treatment of senior citizens, especially those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
This was my fourth summer working at the Long Island Progressive Coalition, and once
again it was a very worthwhile experience. I worked on a few different projects during my time
there, but the biggest and most significant thing I did was canvassing in Mastic Beach. A
program that LIPC works with called Power Up received grant money to give to residents of
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Mastic Beach who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy. A group of us went door to door and
explained the program to (sometimes skeptical) residents, and then took down information to
relay to our supervisor. What amazed me most about the experience was how much variation
there was in how much people had suffered. One woman showed me how 3 feet of water came
up to her house and destroyed her car and shed, whereas a neighbor down the road from her
suffered essentially no damage at all. This experience was extremely rewarding for me for two
reasons. One was the direct reaction I got to see when I told people that they could potentially
receive help for all of their damages. Many of these people could not afford to fix their house,
and so it was wonderful to watch their eyes light up at the prospect of being able to get out of a
situation they had once found futile to fight against. The second reason it was so rewarding to me
was because the follow up of this program was so successful. Often times in these kinds of
programs, there is a disconnect between what happens out in the field and what actually gets
done on a higher up level. Therefore, it was such a pleasure to come back to the office after
working in Mastic Beach and hear that applicants from a few days ago were already receiving
aide.
I feel that out of my two internships, my work with the Long Island Progressive Coalition
in particular struck a chord with this year’s theme about poverty. There definitely were and still
are programs in place to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, but clearly there is still more work
to be done. In this sense, I really felt that my work related to the principle “justice, equity and
compassion in human relations.” Often times when natural disasters occur, there is a surge of
support that comes in but then people tend to forget about the issue and move on to something
else. Yet, people continue to suffer and are unable to help themselves, and so it is up to us to care
for them and give them the help that they deserve. Furthermore, the principle “the goal of world
community with peace, liberty, and justice for all” also feels very relevant to the situation. It is
important to support each other in order to create a better world, and I feel that my work with the
Long Island Progressive Coalition allowed me to play a role in that. These experiences renewed
my passion for promoting Unitarian Universalist principles and I look forward to participating in
the Student Activity Fund program again next year.
Kelsey Weymouth-Little - Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook
This summer, I interned at the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO),
working on their LGBT/ SOGI human rights program. The UU-UNO works in four major
program areas: Climate Change, Every Child is Our Child (providing essential resources to
children in Ghana’s Manya Krobo district), LGBT/ SOGI Human Rights, and Women: Security
and Peacebuilding. In these program areas, the UU-UNO strives to create change by holding
educational events for the UN community, being involved in various UN NGO committees,
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advocating for change at the UN, working with UU congregations on social justice issues, and
supporting the work of international social justice advocates.
I performed a variety of duties for the UU-UNO, including calling envoys at UU
congregations, working on event publicity, writing and editing the 2013 UN Sunday service
packet, and representing the office at UN meetings. Most of my time, however, was spent
planning and implementing my own project, an event about sex reassignment surgery in Iran. I
organized a screening of the documentary Be Like Others, which follows the lives of patients at a
sex reassignment clinic in Tehran, and panel discussion about the movie with an expert on
LGBTQ issues in the Middle East and a sociologist who studies the racialization of Muslims and
Arabs in the US. Through the panel discussion, event attendees explored sex reassignment
surgery and LGBTQ rights in Iran, as well as Western perceptions of Iran and how our cultural
ideas may affect the way we think about international social justice work. By organizing this
event, I contributed to the UU-UNO’s broader agenda of LGBT/ SOGI human rights, which
includes holding educational events for the UN community, and focused the LGBT rights
discussion on transgender issues.
I had never organized a large event before my internship at the UU-UNO and, because of
that experience, I am more confident in my ability to organize events for extracurriculars,
classes, and jobs in the future. I learned how to network and make contacts with various people,
both in person and via e-mail, and how to plan and publicize an event. I also learned a lot about
international LGBT issues and about how the UN works, information that will undoubtedly be
valuable in my future sociology studies and social justice work. What I will take away most
from this summer, however, is what I learned about myself and the work I want to pursue after
graduating college. Interning at the UU-UNO showed me what NGO social justice work can
look like, and I realized that, while I previously thought I was interested in international social
justice work, I am more passionate about working on issues in the United States. Throughout my
research on sex reassignment surgery in Iran, the thing I found most fascinating was how
Westerners represented sex reassignment surgery and LGBT rights in Iran—specifically, that the
narratives the media tells us and that we tell each other often ignore Iranian’s complex realities
and instead promote dominant ideas of Iran and the Middle East as repressive societies whose
people need to be rescued. I am a citizen of the United States, I have lived here all of my life,
and I do not want to promote my Western-influenced ideas of justice abroad while failing to
address the vast inequalities that exist in my society, many of which I benefit from as a white,
upper-middle class US citizen. The work the UU-UNO does is crucial—we need social justice
advocacy from all countries at international forums such as the UN, and we should not forget
about the rest of the world while working to improve our society—but it is not what I want to do
with my life, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to figure that out.
While researching sex reassignment surgery in Iran, I found myself, in essence, on “a
free and responsible search for truth and meaning”. In a world where so many of our narratives
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are carefully crafted to make the “truth” serve a certain purpose, I believe that it is crucial for us
to question the stories we are told when we are trying to make sense of our lives and the world
around us. My search for truth this summer required me to go beyond the most apparent stories,
the results of my first Google searches, and try to discover as much as I could second-hand about
the experiences of LGBTQ+ Iranians. The work the UU-UNO does also embodies the second
and sixth principles—“Justice, equity and compassion in human relations”, and “The goal of
word community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.” Through my work this summer, I
learned that it’s important to keep in mind that there is no one definition of words like justice or
liberty or equity—different ideas about those terms are rooted in different societies, and it’s
crucial that we not impose our ideas of justice upon others when trying to make the world a
better place.
Andrea Willard - Children’s Center, United Cerebral Palsy
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington
At around 10:30 AM on July 26th, cheers could probably be heard around the Children’s
Center as one student completed his eleventh lap around the gym. It had been set up as the “New
York City Marathon” for the day, and he had excitedly pushed himself in his wheelchair for the
entirety of gym class. Perhaps this accomplishment would seem small to us, but to him, it truly
was the equivalent of a marathon. Every class, this student would take most of the class time
struggling to get across the gym to get to the day’s activity. We were amazed by how motivated
he was on this day, and he was also so proud of himself, gladly showing off his “gold” medal to
everyone he saw.
The next day, I excitedly recounted this story to a friend after she asked me about my
work this summer. It was then that I realized how much I had learned and changed through my
volunteer work at the UCP Children’s Center. While I have always wanted to work with
children, I had shied away from special education, worried that I would be sad when I thought
about what things they were unable to do. As it turns out, the worrying was unnecessary, as it is
incomparable to the reward of seeing a student such as this one accomplish something so
challenging, and be so proud of himself for it.
While that was the “big” lesson that I learned this summer, there were many other smaller
things I learned while assisting in the Adaptive Physical Education classes at the Children’s
Center. I worked with the teacher to set up the gym for the day’s activities, and then I worked
one-on-one with the students, who ranged in age from toddlers to 21-year-olds. As I did so, I
tried to help the students become as active as possible, considering their individual abilities. For
some students, this meant pushing a ball off of a wheelchair tray, whereas others were able to
throw the ball through a basketball hoop.
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In doing this, I was able to learn about each student’s abilities, and how to best help him
or her accomplish tasks. Along with that, I learned about the different adaptive equipment that is
used for these students, which ranged from wheelchairs to walkers to bikes. But mostly, I
learned about how to look past the disabilities to see how much each student had to offer.
I feel that the first two UU principles are reflected well through this experience. I was
able to see how each student was unique and individual, yet important and therefore deserving of
respect and kindness. While I have been taught these ideas for most of my life, I am appreciative
of the fact that I am able to understand them from a new perspective after my experiences this
summer.
However, one part of my experience nags me, particularly after our Income Inequality
Workshops. As a volunteer, I would watch as the paid employees lifted, fed, and changed the
students in their assigned class. The job that they perform is filled with hard work, and it is not
an easy one. However, they do it, yet the hourly rate they were being paid was comparable to the
compensation I knew that I would be receiving through SAF. For such an important job, I was
saddened by how unfair this seems. Income inequality is clearly a problem, and I hope to
continue to think about it, and appreciate how much these people are willing to do, despite not
being paid well for it.
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